2 NC university chancellors head to White House

The top officers at North Carolina's two largest public research universities are spending Thursday at the White House as President Obama pushes for ways to expand college opportunities.

The Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. — The top officers at North Carolina's two largest public research universities are spending Thursday at the White House as President Obama pushes for ways to expand college opportunities.

Obama meets with dozens of college presidents including North Carolina State University Chancellor Randy Woodson and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol Folt.

Colleges and universities need to help children in families with limited incomes and no history of higher education attend and graduate from college, Woodson said.

"We need to make sure that young people in America see a clear path to get to college, because frankly, financial aid being what it is on all of our campuses, if they prove themselves in high school they'll be able to attend a great university and do so through financial aid," Woodson said. "But they can't get there if they don't see a path and they don't understand what's necessary to be successful. Too many are giving up too early in their educational journey."

Folt and Woodson flew to Washington with the president on Wednesday as Obama returned from Raleigh, where he announced a $140 million advanced manufacturing hub.